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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Angelo dela Dingco

OpenAI's Billion-Dollar Pivot: How Sam Altman's Company Went From Open Source to Open for Business

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman estimates that polite language in ChatGPT costs tens of millions of dollars annually in energy. (Credit: X / Colin @colin_digital)

When OpenAI was founded in 2015, its mission was clear and ambitious: to develop artificial intelligence that benefits all of humanity, free from commercial constraints. Co-founders Elon Musk and Sam Altman envisioned an organisation that would advance digital intelligence for the public good, prioritising safety and accessibility over profit.

However, recent developments reveal that this lofty goal has been abandoned. On 28 October 2025, OpenAI announced a sweeping transformation: the once non-profit entity is now a for-profit corporation. This shift allows the company to raise capital, attract investors, and generate profits — a move that has sparked controversy and disappointment among supporters.

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